Keeping a log of Facebook Posts in case it goes down~ plus, sharing is caring.

🔗https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cjsq4dHb1/

‘An expanding body of research demonstrates that climate change is closely linked to adverse mental health outcomes. Acute events such as floods, wildfires, and heatwaves, as well as subacute and chronic environmental changes, have been associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, sleep disturbances, and psychological distress.

Population-level studies further indicate that periods of extreme heat are correlated with higher rates of emergency department visits for mental health crises, suggesting a direct relationship between climate-related stressors and worsening psychiatric outcomes.

In parallel, the concept of climate anxiety has gained increasing attention, describing persistent worries, feelings of helplessness, and emotional distress related to climate change, which have been observed across diverse age groups and cultural contexts.’

‘There is hope, even when it doesn’t feel like it.’

4 Immediate Steps to Combat a Sense of Helplessness by Andrea Bonior Ph.D.:

1. Acknowledge your feelings and label them by name.

2. Reconnect with your values.

3. Choose one small action that helps make you feel in control, and watch out for all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, and “checking out”.

4. Connect with others in solidarity, but in movement toward action, not rumination.

🔗 Links in comments

What helps you? Add them below:

Don’t forget~ we’re in this together.

#StrongerTogether #FridaysForFuture

🔗https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/friendship-20/202206/4-immediate-steps-to-combat-a-sense-of-helplessness

🔗https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-39907-4

Oops!

I forgot last week’s~ Here is for April 27th:

🔗https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FuWGkjoUo/

Climate Change, Mental Health and Setting Boundaries.~

‘Climate change and the resulting higher frequency of extreme weather events have a direct negative impact on mental health. Natural disasters are particularly associated with an increase in the prevalence of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Indirect consequences of climate change, such as food shortages, economic crises, violent conflicts and forced migration, additionally represent severe psychological risk and stress factors.’

‘A growing body of research demonstrates not only that the extreme weather events associated with a changing climate can impair mental health, in particular leading to increases in depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, but also that more gradual changes in climatic conditions, such as rising temperatures and reduced air quality, are also harmful to mental health. In addition, there is increasing evidence that a significant proportion of people might be experiencing a harmful level of anxiety associated with their perception of climate change.’

‘Mental health impacts of climate change have the potential to affect a significant proportion of the population.’

~That IS a lot. We see that. There is a lot happening right now, and due to that you’re taking in so much but are you taking even 5 minutes to breathe? Are you reaching out to others when you need a hand?

~Learning to say “no” or that you do not have the capacity, that is a critical skill for establishing boundaries, preserving mental health, and maintaining longevity in both professional and personal life.

“Self preservation is not selfish or self indulgent, it is needed.”

It acts as a protective mechanism against burnout and allows individuals (especially activists and MAPA) to focus on essential, high- priority tasks rather than being overwhelmed by unnecessary obligations.

You are not a martyr; you are an ally, an Earth Steward, a voice that matters.

You cannot pour from an empty cup.

The system wants you to say “yes” until you break. It wants you to habitually grind your health away; it wants you to feel shame or guilt for taking time for your mental and physical health. “MAPA doesn’t get that choice.” We all have SOME choices. Don’t give those hellbent on destruction, the satisfaction. We outnumber them, and they know it.

We mustn’t act alone, but together~ even if that means giving space for yourself or colleagues to take a moment.

Have tips on setting boundaries?

Share them below. ✨️

🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36820855/

🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33389625/